Yemeni Parliament members raise their hands to vote on the policies of the newly appointed government during a session of parliament in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Prime Ministr Khaled Bahah won a confidence vote in Yemen's House of Representatives with a comfortable majority following months of unrest. AFP PHOTO/ MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images less

Yemeni Parliament members raise their hands to vote on the policies of the newly appointed government during a session of parliament in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Prime Ministr Khaled ... more

Photo: MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP/Getty Images

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Yemeni Prime Ministry Khaled Bahah speaks during a session of parliament to gain support for the policies of the newly appointed government in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Bahah won a confidence vote in Yemen's House of Representatives with a comfortable majority following months of unrest. AFP PHOTO/ MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images less

Yemeni Prime Ministry Khaled Bahah speaks during a session of parliament to gain support for the policies of the newly appointed government in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Bahah won a ... more

Photo: MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP/Getty Images

Image 3 of 4

Yemeni Prime Ministry Khaled Bahah (L) speaks during a session of parliament to gain support for the policies of the newly appointed government in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Bahah won a confidence vote in Yemen's House of Representatives with a comfortable majority following months of unrest. AFP PHOTO/ MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images less

Yemeni Prime Ministry Khaled Bahah (L) speaks during a session of parliament to gain support for the policies of the newly appointed government in Sanaa on December 18, 2014. The new government of Bahah won a ... more

Photo: MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP/Getty Images

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Yemen's legislature approves new Cabinet

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SANAA, Yemen — Yemen’s legislature on Thursday approved a new government despite months of violence and political wrangling that has shaken the country.

The legislature’s action could ease tensions but it is unlikely to resolve the power struggle between President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi and the Shiite Houthi rebels who in September seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and are allied with loyalists of former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Houthis’ power grab was met with suicide bombings and deadly attacks, mainly by Sunni rivals from al Qaeda and allied tribes.

A strong explosion rocked a Houthi-occupied house in the port city of Hodeida on Thursday, killing one and wounding 11. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Houthis had pressed Hadi to form a new government, which would give them more say in political affairs. Believed to be Iran-backed, the Shiite rebels have become key power brokers since they overran Sanaa.

The 301-seat legislature did not release a tally on Thursday’s vote, but more than 200 lawmakers at the session overwhelmingly approved the 36-member government.